The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2002 meeting and to approve the claims against the various funds of the county.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion.  Following clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Lonnie Cameron, EPOCH Health Insurance, presented the renewal proposal for the county’s health insurance.  Later in the day, Gene Schwein made the motion to renew the health insurance contract with EPOCH with the same amount of specific deductible as this year of $30,000, an expected total cost of $699,291 and a maximum cost of $826,960.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Duane Brown, Dawson Geophysical Company, explained that they are doing seismographic work for Anadarko and Mobil.  He presented maps showing the land they are going to test.

 

            Bobbi Lewis, Grant County Recreation Commission Director, and Justin Huslig, Aquatics Facilitator, presented information on flooring for the indoor swimming pool area.  Estimated costs for replacing the flooring will be approximately $18,000 and another $6,000 to remove the old tile.

 

            Ginger Anthony, Museum Director, and Historical Society Members, Marie Dowell, Sheryl Deyoe, Robin Graber, and Jeff Trotman met with the commissioners.  Mrs. Anthony reported that they are running out of money again this year.  She also reported that the roofs on the adobe building and the first metal building are leaking.  They need an additional $20,000 to continue operating for the remainder of the year.  Later in the day, the commissioners agreed to distribute an additional $5,000 to the museum for operations if the museum will match it with $5,000 from their funds.  They also recommended that the museum think about closing a day or two a week to help cut costs.

 

            Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, and Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, presented quotes for a self-propelled sheep foot roller to replace the one that was totaled in an accident.  Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a 1999 Hypac C852B Pad Foot Roller from Van Keppel for an amount not to exceed $46,700.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  The county’s insurance has paid the county $19,000 for the totaled machine.  Bids on carpet for the main office and two small rooms at the road department were opened.  Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of carpet from Shop At Home Carpets & Interiors as the best bid submitted at a total cost not to exceed $2,060.51.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Loyetta Skeen, Clerk of the District Court, presented a request for a new copier.  Since there is not enough money remaining in her budget to cover the cost of a copier and pay remaining bills for the year, the commissioners denied her request.  However, Gene Schwein made the motion to encumber the funds remaining in the clerk of the court’s budget at the end of the year to help toward the purchase of a copier in 2003.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, presented quotes for two radars for county vehicles.  Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of two radars from McCoy at a cost not to exceed $3,794.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Sheriff Babcock asked for approval for Steve Kinsey to carry over one year of his two week vacation or be paid for it since his first year anniversary was the middle of October.  The commissioners authorized the sheriff to handle this matter in the best interest of his department.  Sheriff Babcock reported that the Kansas Department of Transportation has offered their old radio tower to the county at no cost.  He will check on age, liabilities, costs of maintaining lights, etc. associated with owning a tower.

 

            Frances Roberts, Librarian, and Sheila Brown, Chief Deputy Clerk, discussed the Library project with the commissioners.  Since the county has been paying all the construction costs from bond money and the bond money is about spent, they asked about the possibility of the county continuing to pay the expenses and the library will reimburse the county from their funds.  The commissioners agreed that in order to maintain an accurate audit trail this would be advisable.  Removal of the ceiling containing asbestos in the old portion of the library was discussed.  The commissioners said the Library Board could contract for this since they are an operating board and not an advisory board.

 

            Discussion was held on imaging equipment and software for the Treasurer, Register of Deeds and Appraiser.  Gene Schwein made the motion to encumber remaining funds in the Treasurer’s Special fund at the end of the year to apply to the purchase of imaging equipment in 2003.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve Resolution 02-05 requesting the Director of Accounts and Reports to waive the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a and resolving the county’s financial statements and financial reports be prepared on the basis of cash and disbursement as adjusted to show compliance with the cash basis and budget laws of this State. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve Resolution 02-06 amending the by-laws of the self-insurance pool for workers compensation coverage.  Gene Schwein seconded motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve a one time only, bonus pay for employees based on employee performance.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on December 3, 2002.

 

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Madison Traster, Chairman